Turbine plan given council go-ahead

PLANNERS have given approval to build another 100-metre-high wind turbine on rural land, close to where work on four others is due to begin.

Planning permission was given this week for chemical company Viaton Industries Ltd to erect the turbine on land off Manystones Lane, near Brassington.

It comes after permission for similar-sized turbines was granted, on appeal, at Carsington Pastures, three years ago.

Work on this site is set to begin in the coming weeks.

In spite of opposition from Carsington and Hopton Parish Council, the latest application was given the green light by Derbyshire Dales District Council.

The report read: “The harm identified was viewed in the context of an extant four-turbine scheme at Carsington Pastures, and was considered to be outweighed by the benefits of renewable energy generation.”

The turbine will consist of a 60 metre-high tubular steel tower, with three carbon fibre reinforced blades tips approximately 40 metres high. It is expected to generate up to 2.5 megawatts of electricity, with plans to feed it back into the company. The nearest houses to the turbine will be 1.4km away.

Peak District National Park Authority believed it would have a “significant adverse impact” on the setting, but understood the motives behind harnessing renewable energy.

Carsington and Hopton Parish Council showed concerns about noise, the impact on conservations areas and have a cumulative effect with the Carsington turbines. Brassington Parish Council offered no objections.

An independent consultant, who successfully represented the council in relation to the rejection of a wind farm at Matlock Manor, said the impact on the landscape would be negligible, largely due to the upcoming Carsington Pastures scheme.

As part of the conditions agreed with planning permission, noise levels will be closely monitored.

The report concluded: “The impacts from this development are minor to minor moderate. When these are set against the benefits of renewable energy generation of this scale, it is considered that the fine balance of consideration tips in favour of supporting this scheme.”